KAFUWA ‘Story of Sameshwar Devta’ sung by Rajanikant Semwal

Rajanikant Semwal, a popular folk singer of Uttarakhand is back with his one more unique and creative creation. As usual he always experiments and tries to present something unique which not only adds on to our Pahadi Music Industry but also it helps to relate with the lifestyle of our new generation. And hence its easier for them to understand and relate with our folk culture.

New Promo Released:

A new promotional video of the song “Kafua” is released. The song is sung by Rajanikant Semwal, it is a folk song considered to be very dear to Sameshwar Devta, a deity of Himalayas.

It is a story of the Sameshwar devta also called Humyar (pronounced as hum-ear) by locals of Mukhwa and Markande village of Uttarkashi District near Harsil. The song tells how Sameshwar reached to Taknor region from Kullu.

An Incarnation Of Lord Shiva : Sameshwar

Sameshwar Devta is considered to be the manasputra or incarnation of Lord Shiva. Villagers talk to the deity about their wishes and problems and the deity talk back and answer their all queries. Sameshwar is also known for his magical and medical powers which can cure any diseases. It is to be believed that Sameshwar was a simple shepherd who got a JADI-BOOTI while he was raising his cattle in the forest and when he was about to die he consumed it and thus became immortal. The main temple of Sameshwar Devta is in the village of Jakhol in the Supin valley.

Sameshwar is also called The King of Taknor, name given to Sameshwar Devta by an Englishman Frederick E. Wilson who is considered to be the first Englishmen to permanently settle in the Bhagirathi valley. It is said that Wilson had angered the Sameshwar by hunting wild animals and had exploited the forests. And then the lord Sameshwar cursed him that his entire bloodline will be vanished. After few decades of Wilson’s death, the curse came true as his entire bloodline vanished.

About the Video of the Song : Kafuwa

The song (yet to be released) is filmed showing how the locals celebrate the yearly festival Selku (meaning syelu ku in gardwali and in English meaning “who will sleep”). The offering of Brahmakamal, flower that grows in the higher meadows is considered to be auspicious during the festival and is taken as prasad by devotees of Sameshwar. Locals celebrate this festival by performing their folk dance known as Raaso and Taandi. And even the Doli of Sameshwar dances on the beats of Dhol and whistles.